How did the medical intelligence unit handle with the influenza pandemic in the French armed forces in 2009?

Abstract

In 2009, the French Military Health Service relies on its Medical Intelligence Unit to help to respond to the risk of A (H1N1) pandemic influenza for his forces. As of April 24th, the physician in charge of this team is informed that a respiratory disease caused by a new influenza virus is reported in two American. In collaboration with physicians of the French military epidemiological surveillance team, the Medical Intelligence Team immediately notifies the military decision makers. From that day, the Medical Intelligence Team sends to the authorities daily reports to keep them informed of the number of cases per country and documents to help them to better manage the pandemic. On June 11th, the World Health Organization declares phase 6 pandemic. During the summer 2009, thanks to the advanced researches, a vaccination is proposed. In September 2009, the entire planet is hit, therefore sending daily messages with the number of country cases is no longer of interest and it is stopped. The health risk assessment is then gradually integrated to a daily monitoring of influenza cases among military and to the military influenza observation system. Through this experience, it seems that the Medical Intelligence Unit has fulfilled its mission of helping the decision makers by transmitting them quickly validated and synthetic information.